Animal Laws Around the World

Animal Laws help to protect animals from animal cruelty. Currently, several countries have laws against animal cruelty. These countries include Australia, Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In these countries, imprisonment and fines can be issued if acts of animal cruelty are brought to the attention of animal law enforcers (either police or animal welfare organizations)

Some countries, such as Egypt, have laws against animal cruelty that were set up by other governments during imperialism and colonialism in that country. However, now the animal laws in countries like Egypt are not enforced. Egypt does have animal welfare activist organizations, such as the Egyptian Society for the Prevention fo Cruetly to Animals that was created under the RSPCA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) that was set up by Great Britain when Egypt was one of its colonies.

Fortunately, in many countries, animal laws are being developed. In Mexico, there are technically no laws outlawing animal cruelty, but these laws are in the future and are slowly being implemented in Mexican law. China had no animal laws or animal welfare organizations whatsoever in 2006, with legislation stating that dog control officers had the ability to kill stray dogs whenever they wanted. Now, this law is in the process of being changed. In September of 2009, a legislation was drafted that will protect pets, farm animals, and wild animals. Animal Laws are hoped to be enacted in China by 2013.